“Harder and faster isn’t the only solution for the dance floor” Koliseum interview

Inspired by 90s house music and modern minimal sounds, Koliseum is a Taipei-based house DJ and producer active since the early 2010s. In 2020, he co-founded the label Evaporate 蒸發, known for its deep and groovy atmosphere in the Taiwanese scene.

Koliseum’s productions have been released on several independent dance music labels, including Deep Tech Records, Whoyostro White, Platform 7even, Hollow Lab, mINT, Conceptual Records, and Evaporate 蒸發.

Now he lands on Volumo Direct with his latest minimal masterpiece, Jinshan 金山EP.

Across four original tracks backed up with stellar remixes from Elsoo, Slowmouth and Toorare, the EP moves through various shades of slick, atmospheric minimal house music with a strong focus on both groove and subtle progression, and is a deeply engaging collection of tracks.

With the EP out now, we caught up with Koliseum to get the lowdown.

How did 90s house music influence your sound, and how do you blend these influences with modern minimalism in your productions?

I’m a big fan of 90s house music, which incorporates many jazz, soul, and funk elements. The idea of modern minimalism, ‘less is more,’ is really important to me as it forms the foundation of my production style. I always think about how to make my tracks simple yet engaging. I’m happy with the result when I successfully combine both features into one.

Can you share the vision behind co-founding Evaporate 蒸發 and how it has shaped the Taiwanese electronic music scene?

Being a co-founder of Evaporate 蒸發, I’m thrilled that our beats make people dance! Especially in a scene where techno holds a leading position, it’s not easy to see people show interest in slower tempos. It means a lot to us.

What was the inspiration behind the Jinshan 金山 EP, and what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from it?

The whole idea came to me in early 2024, just after returning from a 14-day trip to Cape Town, South Africa. The beautiful landscapes and rich culture there inspired me deeply. I truly hope to share with people my love for this journey, which took me 12,000 km away from my hometown.

How do the collaborations with Elsoo, Slowmouth, and Toorare on this EP add to its overall sound and depth?

They are all really professional producers who consistently create quality tracks. I was pleasantly surprised and excited when I heard their remixes, each showcasing their unique music style and perspective.

What challenges and opportunities have you encountered while producing for multiple labels, including Deep Tech Records and Whoyostro White?

When I make music, I always follow my heart and my feelings. I don’t think too much about labels. However, I really appreciate when they like my production and give me opportunities.

How do you maintain a balance between groove and subtle progression in your tracks, particularly in your latest EP?

‘Less is more’ is the core idea of my production. I strive to find a way to keep it simple without sounding boring.

Can you describe your creative process when producing a track? How did this process manifest in the creation of Jinshan 金山 EP?

During that time, it was a special period in my life. I had just finished a long journey back home from South Africa. All the experiences I had there inspired me to create something I hadn’t done before.

What are some of the key elements you focus on to create a deep and groovy atmosphere in your music?

Lately, I’ve been particularly fond of incorporating ‘acid sound’ into my tracks, but I make sure to keep it subtle and avoid going overboard.

How has the Taipei electronic music scene evolved since you started, and what role has Evaporate 蒸發 played in this evolution?

Before we ran our own event in Taiwan, the electronic music scene had been without house music for a while. Techno and psytrance dominated the scene, with most people loving to dance to high-energy, fast BPM music. However, after Evaporate 蒸發, I believe some people realized that harder and faster isn’t the only solution for the dance floor; our softer and slower music can work just as well.

What future projects or collaborations can your fans look forward to from you and the Evaporate 蒸發 label?

I still have some unfinished projects waiting for me. Our label also continues to collaborate with great producers from around the world, releasing more and more music in the future.

Jinshan 金山EP is out now via Volumo Direct – listen & buy